["Hah… Greed? I didn't expect to find that monster here. And dead, no less."]
["I didn't think he would die so easily, even after being injured and fleeing the mystical realm. His betrayal during the bloodshed twenty years ago cost Golden Island dearly."]
White Dragon's deep voice and Azure Dragon's clear voice echoed in Horus's mind. The Five Dragons watched the battle below, suppressing the spreading deathly energy to aid the humans and hinder the Heavenly Demon.
They couldn't directly participate in the battle, their power needed to stabilize the demonic realm.
["Isn't this good? We were always wary of him. Now we don't have to worry anymore. Especially in a situation like this."]
Red Dragon was right. They had wasted considerable resources guarding against Greed's schemes. It was necessary, given his nature, but every bit of strength was precious in this situation. Confirming his death was good news.
However, the circumstances of his death were suspicious. Who had killed him, and why were his remains buried here? And why hadn't they noticed it until now?
["…The Heavenly Demon?"]
["I doubt he could defeat Greed alone, even if he is strong."]
["Perhaps the Demonic Cult's masters joined forces."]
["Or maybe 'he' did it before leaving this world…"]
["That long ago? But…"]
While the three dragons discussed the possibilities, Black Dragon was more interested in Horus, who had returned to them.
["You were amazing! How did you do that? Is that a technique from your world? How often can you use it?"]
She swam through the night sky, her sleek black scales shimmering, her clear eyes shining like jewels. Dragons were awe-inspiring, inspiring reverence in those who beheld them.
'But not me.'
Horus couldn't bring himself to fully appreciate her beauty, knowing her nature. As someone who desired peace between humans and yokai, he found her hawkish stance unsettling.
["Wait, there's something I need to discuss first."]
["Oh? Alright."]
Maintaining his adult form with 「Elder Dragon's Heart」 was becoming tiring. He needed to proceed with his plan quickly.
["Everyone, please listen!"]
["Hmm? Horus?"]
["What is it?"]
The other dragons, startled by his serious tone, turned their attention to him. Horus stood at the center of the other dragons, just like when they first arrived.
["I've thought of a way to restore the Dragon Heart without sacrificing the Dragon Children."]
He announced, revealing the plan he had prepared, disguised as a sudden inspiration.
["Hmm?"]
["Is that even possible…?"]
He looked down at the Heavenly Demon, weakening under their combined assault. He was still powerful, but his defeat was inevitable. The final battle, which had begun at dawn and continued through the night, was nearing its end.
'The final chapter.'
Time for the grand finale. The scenario was entering its final stage.
***
After rescuing Zhuge Huimei, Hugo had retreated, leaving the Heavenly Demon to the other masters and dragons. Someone needed to protect her and the other Dragon Children.
"…Hmm."
"Are you alright, Lady Zhuge?"
Hugo, watching the battle, turned to Zhuge Huimei with concern as she let out a soft moan. A dark handprint, the mark of the Heavenly Demon, marred the pale skin of her neck. Even a brief contact with a high-ranking undead while it was absorbing life force wasn't pleasant.
He frowned, disturbed by the sight.
"…I'm fine. Thank you for saving me again, Young Master Ha. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
She smiled weakly, touching her neck, misinterpreting his expression. A pang of guilt, thought long gone, stirred within him.
"…Don't mention it. We'll likely need each other's help in the future. It's better to help when we can than keep track of debts."
"…In the future…"
She smiled bitterly, knowing her life would likely end with this battle, even if Ha Seung-hoon and the Zhuge Clan tried to protect her. Her life was tied to the fate of this world. They couldn't fight the entire world, humans and yokai alike.
This was her destiny, the burden she had carried since birth, born amidst chaos, causing her mother's death, bringing hardship to others.
"Huimei!"
A group rushed towards them, covered in blood, dust, and wounds. Zhuge Howon, the clan leader, and the Zhuge Clan members. Their faces lit up as they saw her.
"Father… Everyone…"
Seeing them strengthened her resolve. Sacrifice was necessary. Better to offer herself for a brighter future than wait for inevitable destruction.
"Lady Zhuge."
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts. The man who had saved her life multiple times, who had given her hope in her darkest moments.
"I understand what you're thinking, but please don't give up so easily."
He looked at her with a serious expression.
"Huh? Ahaha… what are you…"
He continued before she could reply.
"I've experienced many things. You might think I'm too young to have seen much, but events don't always correlate with age."
Technically, he sought out those events through his avatars, but that wasn't the point. The point was, those events were world-altering.
"And I've learned that… things don't always go as planned. Even the most meticulous plans can be disrupted by minor variables, and unexpected breakthroughs can occur. Of course, sometimes things do go perfectly according to plan, with a bit of luck."
Countless events flashed through his mind: acquiring the 「Avatar」 skill, Hans becoming the Immortal King, discovering Heaven's Turn Society and deciding to destroy them, his ten avatars making their mark on their respective worlds… everything that had led to this moment.
"I don't believe in predetermined destinies. There are only choices at countless crossroads. Even if it seems like a one-way street… a dead end… there's always more than one option."
Break through the wall, climb over it, find a hidden passage, or…
Have someone reach down and pull you up.
"Ah, that sounded a bit arrogant. Of course, I'm not always right. Some people truly have no choice and are forced into a corner."
He seemed embarrassed, realizing his words might have sounded presumptuous, scratching the back of his head. Zhuge Huimei smiled faintly. Her heart warmed. He was just worried about her.
'But…'
She understood his message, but she believed she had no choice.
"Thank you, Young Master Ha. Your words are comforting."
"Hmm, I'm glad. It seems the battle over there is over."
She wasn't just at a dead end. She was standing on a precipice, a tiny space with no escape.
"Huimei, are you alright?"
"Yes, Father. Thank you for your concern."
There was no way out. She could either wither away or jump. Unless a miracle occurred, a golden rope descending from the heavens like in fairy tales.
'I just… want to dream a little longer, even if it's just for a moment…'
She closed her eyes.
["Ah, is it over?"]
Then—
["Would you mind listening to me for a moment?"]
A strange voice echoed in her mind.
Whoosh Whoosh
The sound of powerful wings beating the air. An overwhelming presence pressed down upon her. A brilliant golden light illuminated the ground, like dawn breaking through the darkness.
["It's convenient that the Dragon Children are already here."]
A miracle descended from the heavens.
***
The day-long battle, which had claimed countless lives on both sides, was over. The Murim Alliance had tried to capture the remaining Demonic Cultists to locate their bases, but the frenzied cultists, seemingly unbound by any sense of self-preservation, fought to the death. Some kind of restriction seemed to trigger a berserker state when defeat was imminent.
"Treat the wounded first! We'll sort out the factions later!"
"Hah, I'm exhausted. Hey, Crescent Moon Spear, let's have a drink when we get back. I'll share my prized White Flower Wine with you for saving my life."
"Sounds good. I'll bring a whole roasted pig. You saved me from being crippled."
["Grrr… Human, are you alright? Snap out of it."]
"Ugh! I'm fine, stop shaking me! My head is throbbing!"
Having faced death together, they mingled freely, humans and yokai, regardless of faction or affiliation. Not everyone had set aside their differences, but most were too exhausted to care. And with so many casualties, their resentment was now directed primarily at the Demonic Cult.
While the cleanup continued, a serious discussion was taking place among the faction leaders.
"New Mad Demon, are you sure you're alright…"
"Old man, call me by that ridiculous nickname again, and I'll rip out your beard. There's only one Mad Demon, and that's me! We've already settled this!"
"…Such a temper. Are you sure about that, Mad Demon? You were on the front lines. You must be injured."
"Kahahaha! This level of injury will heal with a bit of spit! What about you, old man? Broken bones don't heal well at your age, do they?"
Gwak Cheol, the Heaven-Defying Devil Emperor, frowned at Harley's boisterous reply. He would have challenged him to a life-or-death duel if he were ten years younger. But he knew he wouldn't have survived without Harley's timely intervention, and he had experienced Harley's overwhelming power firsthand during the battle. He had to admit he couldn't guarantee victory even if he was at his peak.
"Amitabha, Mad Demon. If you're struggling, let us know. Buddhist energy is effective against demonic energy. We can help."
"Come on, I said I'm fine."
Abbot Mu-jin also expressed his concern. They were all focused on the black coffin strapped to Harley's back. A sinister-looking object covered in talismans and prayer beads. Its contents were clearly unusual.
"Hmm, sealing the Heavenly Demon… it could cause problems later. Shouldn't we just destroy him now?"
General Jeongcheon, his eye covered in a bloodstained bandage, voiced his disapproval. He believed the Heavenly Demon should be eliminated immediately.
"It's already decided, General. We can't ignore a way that can prevent unnecessary sacrifices. Unless you have some ulterior motive?"
"Ahem."
Saving the Dragon Children was a significant part of the reason for sealing the Heavenly Demon. The General coughed, averting his gaze at Sword Saint's pointed remark. He served the Northern Army, led by Prince Choryang, a distant relative of the Imperial family. The survival of Zhu Gangin, one of the Dragon Children and the last heir to the throne, was a sensitive issue.
'Once the Dragon Heart is restored and the continent stabilizes, there will be problems. And one of the Dragon Children, the key to the world's restoration, is the last Imperial descendant…'
That alone gave him immense legitimacy. Until now, only power mattered, and Zhu Gangin's fate was irrelevant. But things would change.
'…I'll have to prepare a countermeasure.'
But he couldn't do anything now. The dragons, the leaders of the yokai; Abbot Mu-jin; Sword Saint; the Mad Demon; and even Gwak Cheol, who owed him a debt, all supported sealing the Heavenly Demon. Blood Asura was indifferent.
"Oh! The sun is rising!"
Blood Asura exclaimed, looking at the rising sun, dispelling the darkness that had lingered after the long battle. As if blessing the future of this world.
***
Several days had passed since the final battle.
The Murim Alliance had left Beijing after cleaning up the battlefield, and the Five Dragons, having returned to the mystical realm with the yokai, were preparing for the ritual.
Deep beneath Beijing—
["…Preparations complete."]
A sinister voice echoed from within Greed's sealed remains. The hidden presence, masked by Greed's aura, who had been manipulating events from behind the scenes.
["Time to end this charade."]
With Hans's words—
The day of the ritual that would change Ganghwange arrived.